Synchrotron Radiation Computed Tomography (SRCT) allows for non-destructive identification of fracture mechanisms in materials at very high resolutions. In this work, carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs) were imaged using SRCT to ascertain fracture micro-mechanisms under both quasi-static Mode I and Mode II dominated loading conditions. This, combined with previous work on impacted coupons, provides mechanistic comparison between the different loading conditions on similar material systems. Initial findings have identified particle/matrix debonding, crack bridging and ligamented behaviour as reported previously, but have emphasized micro-cracks and the extent to which particle/matrix debonding occurs ahead of the crack tip under both Mode I and Mode II loading conditions. Such work is intended to support both material development and more accurate structural performance simulation for the toughened materials that are being increasingly used as primary structures in aerospace applications.

Abstract

Synchrotron Radiation Computed Tomography (SRCT) allows for non-destructive identification of fracture mechanisms in materials at very high resolutions. In this work, carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs) were imaged using SRCT to ascertain fracture micro-mechanisms under both quasi-static Mode I and Mode II dominated loading conditions. This, combined with previous work on impacted coupons, provides mechanistic comparison between the different loading conditions on similar material systems. Initial findings have identified particle/matrix debonding, crack bridging and ligamented behaviour as reported previously, but have emphasized micro-cracks and the extent to which particle/matrix debonding occurs ahead of the crack tip under both Mode I and Mode II loading conditions. Such work is intended to support both material development and more accurate structural performance simulation for the toughened materials that are being increasingly used as primary structures in aerospace applications.